Ask a doctor: Get your end-of-life documents in order

Q: What are advance directives?

A: Advance directives are legal documents, including a living will and a durable health care power of attorney. A living will expresses your preferences for, or against, various kinds of life-supporting treatments. A durable health care power of attorney names someone to help implement your preferences and make decisions on your behalf in the event you are too sick to do so yourself. If you require admission to the hospital, nurses and physicians will routinely ask you if you have advance directives to ensure that your preferences are honored at all times. Speak with your primary care provider for more information.

- Dr. Adrien Bhushan, Memorial Hospitalist Program; member,

Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society

Readers: To submit a question for a medical doctor, e-mail it to Clint Cooper at ccooper@timesfreepress.com. See this space each week for answers.

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